Police and licensing officials raided and shuttered a Bulacan cigarette factory churning out counterfeit Philip Morris and Mighty cigarettes, Inquirer Business reported.

The joint operation between Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detective Group, and the Business Permits and Licensing Office of Guiguinto, Bulacan was carried out in the municipality on 1 February, Inquirer Business said, citing comments made by Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III.
“Initially believed to be a warehouse for illicit cigarettes, the place turned out to be a counterfeit factory at the back end of the site,” Dominguez was quoted as saying.
The factory had two cigarette makers, a cigarette maker and packer, hand-packing, sealing equipment and boxes of fake tax stamps. Boxes of filter rods, papers and other raw materials for cigarette production were also found, Inquirer Business reported.
Products found at the site included those bearing cigarette brands Marlboro, Fortune, Jackpot, Mark and Champion, packs of Mighty Green, Marvel, Two Moon, Fort and Union, the news site said.
Dominguez said the government has been “on the lookout” for cigarette smugglers following price increases. “Since we raised cigarette prices, obviously there will be more incentive to smuggle, so we have to watch out.”
A second "fake" factory was discovered in the Bulacan province in November after a fire at the location, Dominguez said.
Japan Tobacco International Philippines general manager Manos Koukourakis reportedly commended the action of the government units and called for vigilance against illicit trade in cigarettes. JTI owns the cigarette maker Mighty Corp, the Philippines’ second largest tobacco producer.